Many Missing After Massive Fire At Seniors' Home In Quebec

A firefighter walks past the Residence du Havre after the fire in L'Isle Verte, Quebec. At least three people died in the blaze at the seniors' home. Early reports were that another 30 people were missing.

Mathieu Belanger Reuters/Landov

Originally published on January 23, 2014 12:39 pm

"Three people are dead and 30 people are unaccounted for after an overnight fire broke out at a seniors' residence in L'Isle-Verte, Quebec," the CBC reports.

According to the Montreal Gazette, "the massive fire in the 52-unit complex broke out around 12:30 a.m. ET" on Thursday. "Initial reports said 20 residents had been transported to safety, but it was unclear just how many residents were missing in the inferno."

Quebec Provincial Police Sgt. Audrey-Annie Bilodeau told reporters that "we hope for the best. ... We hope that the number is going to go down."

The CBC adds that "extreme cold weather is complicating the work of emergency crews, officials said, as the temperature was about –19 C."